As she fades blue surrounds,
Beautiful, holy, serene.
Into the rippling rainwater.
Prayers on her lips, She whispers.

Focusing attention on one aspect of a thing does not make it any less true. This painting holds a precious place in many a heart which is ironically beautiful because most often that monthly dip isn't quiiiiiite as serene.

For me, the feeling that evoked this painting is the relief and peace I get AFTER the Mikva ritual. After a week of counting, a day of restlessness knowing, tonight is the night, followed by some prep dread (hey! Let's be real here ), and then an hour of grooming followed by a list of creative reasons to leave the house under the cover of darkness...I finally find myself sinking into the waters saying the blessing and praying real quick while simultaneously wishing that THIS was the part that could last the longest. Instead, I awkwardly walk out dripping over the mat grabbing my towel from the attendant, and slapping big wet slippery prints on my way back to my room. The thing is...I hold on to that feeling although it only lasts seconds. I take it back with me- the calm, the serenity, the peace- knowing how precious this mitzva/commandment is.